Information
The National Deaf Women’s Empowerment Seminar was held in NI-MSME, Yousufguda, Hyderabad on the 30th & 31st of July 2011, co-organised by Deaf Enabled Foundation (DEF) and National Association of the Deaf (NAD). The seminar was attended by 180 Deaf women from all over India.
30th July 2011 – First Day
The Chief Guest for the occasion was Mrs. Anita Rajendra (IAS), Commissioner, Department of Women and Child, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The opening session was also graced by Ms. Meenakshi from the Disability Legislative Unit of Vidya Sagar in Chennai, Ms. Geeta Sharma, Women Secretary of the National Association of the Deaf, Ms. Swaroopa, from the Women’s Committee, Hyderabad Empowerment of Deaf Women and Mr. T.K.M.Sandeep, Chief Executive of the Deaf Enabled Foundation and Treasurer of the National Association of the Deaf.
The Chief Guest, Mrs. Anita Rajendra lighted the lamp and addressed the gathering of Deaf women. She encouraged them to aim and aspire for greater things and expressed her support saying that she would do whatever is needful for the betterment of deaf women. Ms. Meenakshi, Ms. Geeta Sharma and Mr. T.K.M. Sandeep also addressed the gathering.
Ms. Andalu, a Member of the Hyderabad Empowerment of Deaf Women made a presentation on the subject “Deaf Culture and Domestic Violence” following which she answered the questions of the participants. Following lunch, Ms. Meenakshi gave a lectured on the subject “UNCRPD and Women Rights”. In the evening all the Deaf women participants enjoyed a tour of the Hussain Sagar Lake. They enjoyed the trip thoroughly. It was a very happy occasion for them.
31st July 2011 – Second Day
The Second Day of the National Deaf Women’s Empowerment Seminar began with a lecture by Ms. Satyavani on ‘The History of Deaf Women’. Following this
Mr. T.K.M. Sandeep explained about the UNCRPD, the NHRC and the SHRC (National and State Human Rights Commissions).
After the tea break, Ms. Geeta Sharma gave a lecture on ‘Deaf Women in India’ and answered questions from the participants. Following the lunch break, Ms. Henrietta Decruz made a presentation on the ‘Fundamental Rights as given in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’. After tea break, the participants viewed a film that creates awareness on Sexual Harassment.
After the main conference was over about 33 Deaf women leaders from both North and South India attended a meeting at a hotel where they discussed setting up a national deaf women’s association. Mr. T.K.M. Sandeep addressed this group of Deaf women leaders and gave them insights on this. The meeting went on for four hours. The Deaf women leaders also enjoyed a get-together after the meeting.